Any Significant Market Changes?

James Picerno submits: The rising popularity and expanding menu of multi-asset class funds suggests that investors are eager and willing to farm out the asset allocation decision to professionals. Morningstar Principia lists over 1,700 mutual funds and ETFs that engage in some form of multi-asset class investing under one strategic roof.

Arjun Rudra submits: Gaetan Ruest is Manager, Strategic Investment Planning, Investors Group

This column is a weekly series that describes, at a very high level, how we manage our long-term portfolio. We take a top-down, or macro, view of the equity, bond, commodity and foreign exchange markets. From this we seek to gauge investor appetite for risk and draw conclusions on whether to go long or short these asset classes. The portfolio's aim is to exceed beta, whilst reducing the risks typically associated with alpha seeking funds.

The Burrill Report submits: Medical device giant Boston Scientific (BSX) said it would eliminate as many as 1,300 jobs or 10 percent of its workforce as part of a series of restructuring initiatives and management changes it says will drive profitable growth for the company. As part of these changes, the Natick, Massachusetts-based company says it will eliminate its international headquarters.

Doug Short submits: The S&P 500 finished a volatile week virtually flat. But not so for the other world markets in this series. The DAX was the standout, up a handsome 1.33%. The FTSE lost 0.88%. But the Asia-Pacific markets fared far worse, with the Hang Seng placing last for the second consecutive week.

Kurtis Hemmerling submits: Hum as you read the following ... How much is that dividend-doggie in the window? The one with good dividends trailing. How much is that dividend-doggie in the window ... is it over-priced or at a good sale?

Dirk Quayle submits:In a recent article I presented an asset allocation strategy, an ETF portfolio and potential managed payout scenarios for investors at or near retirement. Below I outline a strategy that investors may consider earlier in the retirement planning lifecycle.

Daniel Broby submits:Whilst most asset allocators are making cautious predictions for 2011, some are calling for increased allocation to those emerging markets left behind by the BRIC euphoria. In particular, new emerging markets, or frontier markets, are fast becoming an investment theme in their own right. Frontier markets represent some 4% of global GDP, around $2.5 trillion when combined.